Removing Pirate version of XP

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Guest

A 'friend' installed his copy of Windows XP onto my Windows 98 computer. My
computer now isn't working like it should. I'd like to buy a valid copy of
XP for myself and reinstall it properly.

Is this possible without wiping out all my data? Will I need to backup my
80GB of data (photos mostly) and reinstall all my programs?
 
Amy Oen said:
A 'friend' installed his copy of Windows XP onto my Windows 98 computer. My
computer now isn't working like it should. I'd like to buy a valid copy of
XP for myself and reinstall it properly.

Is this possible without wiping out all my data? Will I need to backup my
80GB of data (photos mostly) and reinstall all my programs?
Click to expand...

I suspect that your "friend" did an upgrade from Win98 to WinXP.
You could re-install WinXP over the top of this upgrade installation.
This would preserve your data but AFAIK, it would also preserve
the licence number he used.

Your question about your data suggests that you choose to believe
that once a file is saved, it remains saved forever. It is a belief that
is not supported by hard facts. Many people adhere to it until they
face a major disaster. A more rational approach is to save all
important files to an independent medium once every week, e.g.
a hard disk in a USB case. Disks are cheap!

If this was my machine then I would do this:
- Back up everything.
- Start a WinXP installation
- Allow the disk to be formatted
- Complete the WinXP installation
- Re-install all applications

You will get a far more stable and robust installation than
what you get with an upgrade from an outdated and inferior
operating system.
 
Amy;
First, you should ALWAYS have current back-ups of all critical data.
At any time you are an instant away of total loss of data with a hard drive
failure or other major problems.

A Repair Installation using the new valid CD and Product Key will preserve
data:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm
But you stated you are already having problems.
It is best to resolve problems if possible first.
A Repair Installation resolves many problems and most likely your problems
but since you did not list the problems, no one can give you specific
suggestions.

A Clean Installation may be the best choice:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm
 
You

Jupiter Jones said:
Amy;
First, you should ALWAYS have current back-ups of all critical data.
At any time you are an instant away of total loss of data with a hard drive
failure or other major problems.

A Repair Installation using the new valid CD and Product Key will preserve
data:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm
But you stated you are already having problems.
It is best to resolve problems if possible first.
A Repair Installation resolves many problems and most likely your problems
but since you did not list the problems, no one can give you specific
suggestions.

A Clean Installation may be the best choice:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm
Click to expand...
You could try Start/programs/accessories/system tools/file and system
transfer wizard
Run this choose old computer then save your files to a second disk ( if you
dont have a second disk partiton the one you have in to 2 and save on new
empty partiton
Install your new xp on the other partition or old disk then run the prog
again saying new computer it even saves your emails and dial up accounts
It does not save programs but does save data from them such as high score
photos mp3s and the like
BUT Caution you must do it on like for like xp IF you have service pack 2 on
your exixting xp load sp2 on you new xp before you run it ( I always run the
windows update prior to restoring my files and load my programs I have used
before first)
Your files are stored as a folder USMT you can save this folder and use it
again and again to reload your data
IF you have norton tools ? you can back up your programs then install the
tools on new disk and put them back
 
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